Fascinating to see the beginning of the "Detective Story" as would be improved upon by Doyle, Chesterton, Sayers, Christie, etc... It definitely has rough edges and draws most of its appeal from Poe's prose rather than the actual intrigue of the mystery. However, it's themes and characters are clearly the source from which other authors drew inspiration (as admitted in many of their own stories) One quote in particular clearly demonstrates the influence that Poe's Dupin had on Sherlock Holmes: "Now, brought to this conclusion in so unequivocal a manner as we are, it is not our part, as reasoners, to reject it on account of apparent impossibilities. It is only left for us to prove that these apparent 'impossibilities' are, in reality, not such." Finding the precursor to the "whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth" made the story worth the read. As a whole, however, it is a clear case of the pupils outgrowing their master and creating a new and intriguing genre in the process.